Need advice for a budget computer build

[et3rn1ty]

Not not really computer savvy so it always intimidates me when i need to replace my computer.
Basically I want to upgrade my desktop that's getting sluggish.
Looking to spend around $300 for the upgrade but I am gonna use some of the parts from my pc that I have.
I will use the following parts from my old PC:
24" LCD monitor
DVD drive
1.5 TB HD
Power Supply (not sure of the wattage maybe 450W but i have to check)
I can reuse my current case too
Windows premium 7 key

I think I want more than 4GB memory because that's what I have now and i find that with all the programs that I run, 4GB is often not enough.
Thanks for the help.

[DavidY]

Check your OS....you need a 64 bit Windows OS to use more than 4 GB of memory.

You should specify all the components of your existing system...CPU, mobo, graphics, etc. What do you use the PC for? Any gaming? If so, what games?

Dave

[et3rn1ty]

Check your OS....you need a 64 bit Windows OS to use more than 4 GB of memory.

You should specify all the components of your existing system...CPU, mobo, graphics, etc. What do you use the PC for? Any gaming? If so, what games?

Dave

I'll try my best to describe my current pc
dual core 2.3 GHz processor,
not sure what the mobo is but i believe it came with integraded readeon hd3200 graphic card
4gb DDR2 RAM
let's just say 450 W power supply but actually now i am thinking maybe I need a better power supply

I don't really use it to play games that much, just more for watching HD movies
I might want to use it to play games casually down the road but it's not an important consideratoin

[DavidY]

I'll try my best to describe my current pc
dual core 2.3 GHz processor,
not sure what the mobo is but i believe it came with integraded readeon hd3200 graphic card
4gb DDR2 RAM
let's just say 450 W power supply but actually now i am thinking maybe I need a better power supply

I don't really use it to play games that much, just more for watching HD movies
I might want to use it to play games casually down the road but it's not an important consideratoin

450 W PS should be fine...unless it's not reliable (crappy brand?)....especially for a casual gamer. $300 would be good for a CPU and mobo upgrade....plus new DDR3 memory (8 GB should be fine)....assuming that you have a 64 bit OS. $300 could be tight otherwise. Integrated video may be fine for now...add a budget priced video card ($50-$80) later if funds are tight.

The option is to keep what you have...add more DDR2 memory if your mobo supports it and if your OS is 64 bit. The problem is that the DDR2 memory is quite pricey and rare the last time that I had checked (vs. DDR3). This just delays your next PC upgrade.

Dave

[HandsomeRob]

I just built a junker that I'm installing drivers on right now. I see two paths really.

LGA1155
H61 board $50-70 <--------> Z68/Z77 Board $100-150.
G530 $50 <--- G620 --->i3 2100 $120
DDR3 $45
HDD Recycle
Case Recycle
GPU ought to upgrade
Heat sink ought to upgrade

Price-ish
G530 $150 for CPU/H61/8 Gb DDR3
G620 $180 for CPU/H61/8 Gb DDR3
i3 2100 $220 for CPU/H61/8 Gb DDR3
i3 2100 $260 for CPU/Z77/8 Gb DDR3

CPU hierarchy G530->G620->i3 2100.
H61 = Basic chipset, no enthusiast features.
Z68 = Past Sandy Bridge Enthusiast chipset.
Z77 = Current Ivy Bridge Enthusiast chipset.

Enthusiast meaning overclocking features, multiple PCI slots for video cards, extra bells & whistles. Something like H61 should be just fine for web browsing & such.

AM3
AMD Phenom II X3 B73 2.8GHZ Socket AM3 Triple Core OEM Processor - $59.99
Ordinarily this wouldn't be competitive, but I bought it because I found an AM3 board for $25 on CL that came with a few other things. It's a good deal, but against the intel stuff I just don't think it competes.

[willy]

I would suggest H77-based mobo at ~ $95 range with good upgrade path.

ie. http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=16950BD0683

Start with a $42 G530 and upgrade to more powerful i5/i7 CPUs when needed in the future. 4 DIMM slots leave room for more RAM too.

[gnuman]

But he doesn't have a graphics card though. Maybe it would be worth to go AMD A8 series since it has an integrated GPU

[et3rn1ty]

If the mobo has integrated graphic card, is it possible to use it together with an external graphic card?
Actually I have a spare Asus EAX1950Pro (don't really know the specs, my brother gave it to me) but not sure if that's good enough since it's probably a few years old

[rd101]

If the mobo has integrated graphic card, is it possible to use it together with an external graphic card?
Actually I have a spare Asus EAX1950Pro (don't really know the specs, my brother gave it to me) but not sure if that's good enough since it's probably a few years old

Both aren't used together. Integrated graphics is useful if your graphics card dies, but otherwise no.

There is also an H67 motherboard with no overclocking but more features.

As somebody else mentioned, the Llano processor (A8) would be a nice choice if you have no intention to play games as AMD's integrated graphics are better than Intel's and you would save the money since you don't need a graphics card.